Material for Reflection No. 2 for the Virtual Forum of Civil Society
”Good Governance and Development in the Knowledge-Based Society”
Presentation by Hernan Chaimovich in the Dialogue of Civil Society Organizations
with the Foreign Affairs Ministers at the IV Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata,
Argentina, on November 3 of 2005 1
The Civil Society Organizations in the Americas interested in the use of Science, Technology,
Innovation, teaching, and Dissemination of Science for a sustainable and equitable social
development, strongly support the proposals for employment creation, poverty reduction, and
strengthening democratic governance in the Hemisphere.
In the In the XXIst century it is unthinkable to create jobs, face poverty and strengthen
democratic governance without making extensive use of science, applying locally-appropriate
technology, introducing the concept of innovation at all levels of society, and improving the
quality of science teaching.
Capacity building in science and technology (ST) is essential everywhere. However, the need is
greatest for the developing countries. To make a difference, each country should make an effort
to build, from a locally based ST and innovation (STI) platform, adequate science-based
technologies that are applicable to local conditions. Without these considerations the dilemma
between underdevelopment with employment, or modernization without employment, may never
be broken.
The social understanding of the essentiality of Science, Technology, Innovation and Science
Education (STISE) requires science teaching from the very early stage. Values such as tolerance,
critical analysis of dogmas, critical thinking, and respect for diversity would be an integral part in
the culture of all citizens. Science Education, from the elementary to the pos-secondary level, is
critical and must be integrated with local values, in particular with those values associated with
the original cultures and with cultural diversity derived from the originals. The contribution of
local communities, scientific societies, science academies and the private or public industrial and
service sectors in setting the nature of vocational training are essential.
Cutting edge science can be produced under economically disadvantaged circumstances.
Scientific development, job creation and the fight against poverty are interrelated. The
introduction of science, technology, engineering and innovation in our local and specific
conditions can determine equitable development.
Information and understanding of the international frameworks related to intellectual property
rights and patents in all levels of society are essential to protect local ethnic culture, history, and
biodiversity, and to make local inventions and knowledge economically and socially useful to
society.
All groups in society must be able to participate in the creation and understanding of the uses and
benefits of STEISE. Limiting this participation will increase rather than decrease the social,
economic and knowledge divides in our societies. In this endeavor, the accessibility of scientific
information is vital and should be recognized at the highest level in order to facilitate the creation
and delivery of the benefits of science, the strengthening of democratic governance and in the
fight against poverty and social exclusion.
The provision of education – at all levels, and for both females and males – is a responsibility of
each nation. Each country should train professionals in all disciplines with the objective of:
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creating and maintaining national capacity in science, technology and innovation (STI).
This material is based on recommendations and reflections that resulted from diverse dialogues of civil society
organizations linked with science, technology, engineering, innovation and science education that were organized
by the OAS as part of the preparatory process for the IV Summit of the Americas.
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promoting the appropriation of science by our societies through science literacy, popularization,
and education.
Entrepreneurship will develop if there is a national capacity of expertise and analytical ability
which is ready to transform new ideas into applications to create employment. There is no other
way to reduce poverty and increase well-being.
The organizations of civil society represented here respectfully submit to the Heads of State
and Government of the Americas, that accessibility to scientific information must be
recognized as a fundamental right of the citizen, a corollary of the Charter of the OAS.
This new right follows both the letter and the spirit of the Charter of the OAS, namely the
objectives of Chapter IV on Integral Development. Although accessibility to scientific
information is closely linked to the basic right of education, it should be recognized as a
fundamental right in itself:
a) In order to deliver the benefits of science – because scientific applications have modified our
world and technical and scientific knowledge is an integral part of the daily lives of our citizens.
b) In order to strengthen democratic governance of all our institutions, be they governmental or
non-governmental. Decision making processes need to take into account an understanding of
science and technology and its socio-economic effects as an essential component of democratic
governance.
c) In order to fight poverty and social exclusion. The solutions of many social and health problems
are well known, but not implemented. This constitutes one of the scandals of our advanced and less
advanced democracies. Science illiteracy is often associated with poverty and poor hygienic
conditions, which are among the causes of unemployment. For example, the financial cost and
social effects of lack of knowledge of basic health and sanitation are well documented and evident
in nutritional deficiency, public health and environmental degradation. These effects can easily be
avoided through better systems of formal and nonformal education.
Multilateral collaborative efforts in capacity building in the region can be achieved at low cost by
improving collaboration among scientists. It would be highly desirable to establish multiple
funding mechanisms including national councils of science and technology, the private sector, as
well as international multilateral funding agencies, among others, to facilitate regional exchanges
among experts.
The gender gap, especially in scientific professions, must be a concern of all societies.
Ignoring this dimension is a major obstacle to women’s ability to participate in the
Knowledge Society and is also depriving society of a significant portion of its intellectual
force, a sure way to weaken national scientific capacity.
The capacity of investment of both public and private sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean
is limited. Public support for STEISE requires social understanding of its impacts on health,
poverty, creation of jobs, security and democratic governance. Private investment requires a legal
framework to ensure returns on investment.
The devastation of our natural resources can only be counteracted through scientific management to
provide sustainable development, working with local knowledge. Environmental policies should be a
central theme in the discussion of STEISE applications.
Efforts to promote education and information technology should take into consideration the culture
of minorities and indigenous populations.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. OAS member countries should recognize and reaffirm the commitments to support and promote the
adopted mandates in the Lima Declaration and Plan of Action from the First Meeting of Ministers
and High Authorities of Science and Technology in the framework of CIDI of the OAS, as well as
the adopted commitments in previous Summits geared towards scientific, technological and
innovative development in the Western Hemisphere.
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2. High quality science and technology education should be incorporated from primary levels onwards
in order to increase the interest of girls and boys as well women and men in promoting scientific
thinking and a culture of innovation.
3. Public financing for science, technology and innovation should be integrated into national and
regional policies and coordinated at the highest governmental levels.
4. As a corollary of the Charter of the OAS, and particularly with respect to the objectives under its
Chapter IV on Integral Development, access to scientific information must be recognized as a
fundamental right for all citizens of the Americas.
5. The gender perspective should be integrated into all STEISE systems and policies in order to ensure
that the interests and capacity of both women and men are taken advantage of for the creation and
utilization of scientific and technological knowledge.
6. At the end of the next decade, private investment in STI in Latin America and the Caribbean should
be greater than public investment. The stimulus and responsibility of preparing legal and regulatory
frameworks for this urgent necessity fall on the governments of the region.
7. Create networks of centers of excellence that, through synergy and the achievement of a level of
critical mass, produce advanced research and innovation.
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